IT Solutions Provider Arkoon Vows Support for Windows XP After Microsoft's April 2014 Deadline

An alternative to leaving legacy software behind

Microsoft is planning to cut off support for Windows XP in April 2014, just a few months shy of the legacy operating system's 13th birthday. Many computers have long moved on from Windows XP and are now rocking Windows 7 or Windows 8 (or even Vista), though it's estimated that between 20 percent (StatCounter) and 33 percent (NetMarketShare) of PCs around the world haven't yet upgraded. What happens to all those users come April?

Well, they'll cease to be supported by Microsoft, meaning no more security updates. This has dire implications. Once a new vulnerability is discovered, a cyber criminal can exploit it indefinitely knowing that Microsoft won't be plugging up the security hole any time soon, or ever.

However, there are third-party alternatives ready to carry the baton. One of them is Arkoon Network Security, an IT solutions provider that recognizes there are thousands of businesses reluctant to upgrade to a newer OS for one reason or another. Arkoon is ready to cash in on these users and businesses with its ExtendedXP service.

"The ExtendedXP service is built on the industry leading Arkoon endpoint security products and services that are already protecting leading organizations around the world," Arkoon says. "ExtendedXP (EXP) is the only solution on the market to date which will allow for effective proactive protection of Windows XP workstations after April 2014."

ExtendedXP is said to combine the best of its StormShield HIPS technology with a unique monitoring service. Subscribers to the service will receive proactive protection against unpatched vulnerabilities and receive alerts when there are newly identified flaws.

Sounds like a solid alternative to upgrading, though Arkoon didn't announce any pricing information or how soon its ExtendedXP service will be available.

I still use XP occasionally in a VM. In these times that's where it shines.

I could not care less if everyone stops supporting it...it's a VM. I keep snapshots and saved states. I think it is time for people to let go of XP as their primary OS. Windows 7 (and 8...come at me) are better IMO on decent modern hardware. ...but as a virtual machine OS (or on older hardware never connected to the 'net) XP can live on and be useful for legacy software and hardware.

It feels alot like it's becoming like iOS with how the system responds to some interactions or notifications. I remember 10.6 and how it reminded me more og a Gnome 2 shelled Debian. OSX has been getting away from that. I had 10.7 and wasn't going to run 10.9 but decided 'what the heck why not" when I did the upgrade to the other two OSes on the test box. Still having 'fun' working around Apple's patching that breaks Hackintoshes. While it's nice to run things on bare metal I'm thinking of taking that test box and maybe turning it into a virtual machine instead.

I hear you. I really liked 10.6 and how efficient it was. 10.7 took forever to finally settle down with the bugs and shit on my MBP. 10.8 is a bit better for me but it has a Windows-like shutdown time most of the time. I'm hoping 10.9 is more SnoLeo-esque but I'm not jumping in right away as I have with the previous two OSes. I need my ADC to function perfectly with CoreAudio.

I don't have the knowledge to maintain a Hackintosh. I wish I did though. I'd at least like to get it working in a VM on a Linux host.

I still have XP on a couple machines in the house, but none of them are primary computers. One is running as a virtual machine on an old iMac, and I have a couple old laptops with XP that are used as guest computers.

I definitely understand why some companies wouldn't want to upgrade. I have clients still running old DOS machines for certain peripherals, Windows 95 for certain software, and XP for peripherals and certain software. The non-supported machines are not on a network, and the XP's will be pulled off soon after support stops. It's not pretty, but it is how business is run: if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

I'm tied to XP because of older peripherals without manufacturer support for the newer operating systems. I have a LaserJet 1000 that still works like a dream, no RF chips telling me to replace half-full toner cartridges. I have an Epson 1200U scanner that still works fine. Neither has Windows 7 drivers, because tech giants are run by douche bags.

Are you sure the Laserjet won't work with generic PCL drivers that Windows provides? I've seen Laserjet 1100 and 1200 units that are just as old (actually, the 1100 units don't even have USB ports, only LPT/parallel) working just fine under Windows 7 64-bit. The 1100 ones were even using USB to LPT adapters.

"Windows XP. You are the OS that charmed the heart of millions and you were really good to me. But it's long overdue to send you to pasture. You're a vegetable on life support and it seems people can't understand the DNR order you signed back when you were still alive. Windows 7 carries on your legacy beautifully, but it seems is still so unloved by comparison.. How cruel this fate.. "

Don't get me wrong, XP was great but come on now.. It's time to let go and let the OS die, especially with Windows 7 being such a damn good replacement.

Mainstream support for Windows 7 doesn't end till 2014. And Extended support for Windows 7 continues till 2020. So that's 11 years of support roughly for Windows 7 and 13 years roughly for Windows XP. Not a huge difference there. And certainly doesn't meet the "cut off from W7 so quickly" remark you make.

Even though I'd love a service pack 2 for Windows 7 (it would save me a lot of time as a tech), since extended support for Windows 7 will go until 2020, I'd say that's long enough, it being 11 years. If Microsoft doesn't come out with an OS that is widely accepted by then, I'm sure they will extend the support further, just like they did with XP.